Wrapped up in the oversized robe Seth had handed her earlier, Kate exits the bathroom and finds him standing by the window, his back to her. Not wanting to get into another argument with him, she remains quiet, her gaze scanning the room for her belongings.

When he turns around unexpectedly, her heart jumps up in her throat. His eyes, those beautiful brown eyes that melt her insides into liquid, linger on her face for a long while, eventually trailing down the length of her body, making her feel completely naked even though she's covered from head to toe. Forcing herself to look away, she walks towards where her things are on the floor.

"You want something to eat?"

Her stomach grumbles at the thought of food. She can't even remember the last time she ate. "Yeah, I'm starving." Sitting on the bed farthest from him, she starts brushing her wet hair. "I'd kill for some breakfast food right now."

"Just get room service. Save the killing spree for tomorrow."

"Fine. Whatever."

"Too bad they don't have cornmeal pancakes here."

She smiles to herself, surprised that he remembers one of her favourite comfort foods. "I don't really care. If it's food, I'll eat it."

"There's a diner few blocks down. Cheap as dirt, food's good, and they have cornmeal pancakes."

"Really?" she asks, excited.

He grins. "They stack 'em up high. Just the way you like it."

"Are you paying?"

"Only if you ask nicely."

"Then I guess I'm paying." She bends down to grab some clothes. "Give me a few minutes to get ready."

"I don't think so, sweetheart." He strolls over to the couch to grab his leather jacket. "You're not leaving this room. I'll grab takeout."

"I don't need a bodyguard, Seth."

"Good. 'cause I'm hell of a lot better looking than Costner."

He slips his jacket on, and she can't help but notice the snug fit of the fabric, the way it emphasizes his broad arms and shoulders.

"There are bloodsuckers crawling all over this place and I'm too fucking tired for a brawl right now." He picks up a phone - her phone - from the table and throws it on the bed. "Richie saved his number. Call him, let the guy know you're alright."

Without waiting for a response he turns around and walks out the door, shutting it behind him.

It doesn't come as a surprise that he avoided all discussion of what they talked about earlier. It's what he does, always has, even back in Mexico when he was in a world of pain because of his estrangement from Richie but pretending to be fine. After all these years, nothing's changed; he's still the same and that saddens her.

Grabbing her phone, she dials Richie's number. When he finally picks up, his voice is soft, smooth as velvet, and her heart instinctively aches for him.

"Hey," he murmurs on the other end. "You okay?"

"I'm alive." She gets up, walks over to the window.

"You sure?" he teases. "Maybe I'm talking to a ghost right now."

"If I was dead, Richie, I'd find someone better to haunt."

"And who would that be? Give me his name."

"Why? So you can get rid of him?"

"It's what I do, Sunshine."

She chuckles, a genuine feeling of contentment spreading over her. There's something about talking to Richie that always makes her feel... warm - except when he's being an arrogant jerk and then she just wants to slap him.

"Next time you decide to play dead, give me a heads up," he teases.

"Where's the fun in that?"

His tone is husky, even bordering on flirtatious when he responds. "If you're looking for fun, I can think of a lot more interesting things to do."

"Wish you were here right now."

Silence ensues. "Do you? Really?"

"Yeah."

"Why? What's changed? You've been so pissed these last few days."

"I don't want to have this conversation over the phone."

"Why not?"

"Because there are some things that should only be discussed in person."

"What kind of things?"

She rolls her eyes. "Don't be a jerk."

"Fine," he sighs, irritated. "Guess I have no choice but to wait."

"Haven't you heard patience is a virtue?"

"Except I'm not a virtuous person."

"Neither am I."

"Yeah, right," he scoffs. "You're so fucking amazing that you glow with goodness from the inside."

"And what movie is that corny line from?"

He laughs, the sound making her stomach flutter with excitement.

"When are you coming back, Richie?"

"Now who's being impatient?"

"Just answer the question."

His tone grows serious. "Once I figure out how to keep you safe. No one's going to hurt you again, Kate."

"You think someone's doing this to me?"

"Yeah. Santanico."

She remembers the winged figure from her nightmare and knows it's probably her... but something about it doesn't feel right. "Are you sure?"

"You were hallucinating, Kate. The same way I did when she was fucking with my head for all those months."

Her heart aches for him, at how frightened he must have felt during that time. If his hallucinations were anything like hers, he must have been going out of his mind.

"Ranger Asshole is on his way here. He's taking me to a brouja tonight who might be able to help."

"Don't call him that," she says firmly. "Be nice to him."

"He treats me like I'm the scum of the earth and you want me to play nice?"

"Yes. He's been really good to me. And he hates you but he's still putting up with you for my sake. So, please. Don't be a jerk."

"Fine. But you have to do something for me too."

"What?"

"Be patient with Seth."

She bites the inside of her cheek. "I tried to talk to him but he wasn't interested. He just shut down on me."

"Well, yeah. He's still freaked out about you," Richie points out. "Just give him some time to process that you're fine and he'll come around. I promise."

"And if he doesn't?"

"He will," Richie says with absolute certainty.

"Maybe you have it wrong, Richie. Maybe he can't stand me anymore-"

"He spent half the night throwing up because he was going out of his mind worrying about you. Just because he doesn't say the words, Kate, doesn't mean he doesn't care. He's always had a hard time expressing his feelings. You would too if you went through what he did."

"What does that mean?"

"Ask him."

"He doesn't seem to have any trouble expressing his anger," she mutters.

"Kate, get over yourself," Richie snaps. "You're not the only one who's had a rough couple of nights. Seth and I've been going nuts worrying about you. And I don't think he's slept at all since you passed out."

She bites her lips, feeling guilty. "Sorry."

"You don't need to apologize. Just show a little understanding when he's acting like an ass."

"Fine. I'll play nice."

"Okay, good. Now tell me what you're wearing."

She laughs, shaking her head with exasperation at the abrupt change in topic.

"I'm serious," Richie says. "You wanted normal, right? You've been lecturing me about it nonstop. Well, this is what normal people do. They have phone sex."

"Oh, so this is for my benefit."

"Of course."

"In that case, I'm wearing nothing."

There's a brief bout of silence before he finally answers, his voice raw, primal. "Really?"

She smiles. "Well, almost."

"Cocktease."

"That's not a very nice thing to say to someone who glows with goodness."

"Fuck!" he bites out, sounding frustrated. "Ranger Ricardo's at the door."

"Remember, be nice."

"You too."

"And be safe."

"I'll try."

She ends the call, feeling free and lively in a way she hasn't done in a long time. When Seth comes in a minute later, huge takeout bags in hand, she rushes to help him out. "How much food did you buy? You have enough here to feed an army."

"I've seen you eat, remember?"

She scowls at him but the wicked glint in his eyes is too mischievous for her to stay angry.

"How was the talk with Richie?"

She watches him intently, following his every move while he slips out of his jacket. "He asked me what I was wearing."

Seth's eyes darken, locking with hers. "And what did you say?"

The heat of his gaze is potent, strong, making her feel strangely wild and reckless. "I told him I was naked."